Freedom Scholarship Empowers Residents

The Foundation for Endodontics, with incredibly generous support from Dentsply Sirona, is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Freedom Scholarship. This prestigious scholarship, aimed at reducing the burden of student loan debt, drew dozens of qualified applicants. After a competitive review process, three remarkable individuals were selected for their exceptional promise, passion, and commitment to the specialty of endodontics.

These outstanding recipients were formally introduced at APICES 2025 in New Orleans, surrounded by peers and mentors. The Foundation is proud to support their journey and look forward to the many contributions they will make to the future of endodontics and patient care. Congratulations to Drs. Anne Corso, Madison Covington, and Alexandra Herzog!

Anne Corso, DDS
Department of Endodontics
Indiana University School of Dentistry
Class of 2026

“I grew up in a big family with six siblings, where sharing one aging family car meant countless weekends fixing whatever had broken that week, from leaky hoses to faulty brake lights. Those hours under the hood taught me to diagnose problems, find solutions, and take pride in working with my hands to make something function again. The same satisfaction I felt when the car finally roared back to life is what I now experience in endodontics, using skill, precision, and problem solving to restore health and function for my patients.

My parents’ commitment to service has been a cornerstone of my life, shaping both my personal and professional journey. My dad, a small business owner, operated Angie’s Pizza, a beloved neighborhood pizzeria, while my mom ran a business that served the City of Chicago, all while raising seven children. From both of them, I learned that success comes from building relationships, listening to people, and never compromising on quality.

These lessons continue to guide me as I pursue a career in endodontics, a field that combines my love for hands-on problem solving with my dedication to serving others. This scholarship will ease the financial burden of my education and allow me to provide excellent care to the patients who need it most.”

Madison Covington, DMD
James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine
Medical University of South Carolina
Class of 2026

“My passion for endodontics began during volunteer work at the Greenville Free Medical Clinic, where I saw countless teeth being extracted that could have been saved with root canal treatment. Watching patients lose their natural teeth due to lack of access to endodontic care ignited a deep desire within me to save more teeth and preserve more smiles.

This experience inspired me to co-found the nonprofit Global Smile Initiative with a mission to improve oral health education and provide basic dental supplies to those in need. While global impact is important, there are so many needs that we must address in our own communities. Everyone can make a difference. It does not have to be big and global; it can be in your own backyard.

While this scholarship will ease my financial stress, it will do more than support my education. It will empower me to help patients who need it most. Even more importantly, it has given me the platform to encourage fellow residents and providers to embrace service in their own neighborhoods. Our hands have been trained to heal, our hearts called to serve, and our privilege demands that we remember: to whom much is given, much will be required.”

Alexandra Herzog, DDS, PhD
Rackham School of Graduate Studies
University of Michigan
Class of 2026

“As a former dual-degree DDS/PhD trainee, I couldn’t have imagined a specialty more aligned with my strengths and career aspirations than endodontics. It uniquely blends technical precision, a strong foundation in science, and the ability to provide meaningful, impactful patient care. To have been selected as a scholarship recipient is a tremendous honor and privilege, as well as an inordinate, life-changing financial relief in my continued journey. With specialty training comes not only knowledge, but also a commitment to leadership and contributions through expertise, which I aspire to exemplify in my career.”

If you see these exceptional residents around, please offer them your congratulations and well wishes!